As summer approaches many of our guests come to Ulwell Holiday Park in search of fun filled days out along the Dorset coast. Whilst the likes of Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove are usually top of everyone’s list, lesser known Kimmeridge Bay is often overlooked. Located just outside of Kimmeridge village and only a 20-minute drive from our Swanage holiday park, this hidden gem is a marine Special Area of Conservation and a must visit for families looking for an authentic coastal experience.
Fossil hunting fun
Kimmeridge Bay is flanked by slate cliffs and littered with large boulders and stones. Like the rest of the Jurassic Coast it is a firm favourite for avid fossil hunters, searching for a piece of history! Even the most inexperienced eye is likely to spot a pretty ammonite hidden in a rock or on the seabed.
View this post on Instagram
Important fossil hunting advice: The beach wardens kindly ask that you do not use hammers to extract fossils and that you leave fossils behind for other people to enjoy.
Ideal for rock pooling
Rockpooling is a must at this idyllic spot, which is famed for its abundance and variety of marine life. As the tide goes out, hundreds of rockpools filled with crabs, little fish, anemones and even star fish are exposed, providing hours of fun for younger members of the family.
Next to the slipway, the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Wild Seas Centre welcomes visitors free of charge to learn more about the Jurassic Coast and the species that inhabit its waters. Enthusiastic and knowledgeable visitors are on hand to talk you through the live exhibits and will help you identify any of your own fossil or wildlife finds.
View this post on Instagram
Great snorkelling for beginners
Kimmeridge is considered one of the best places to snorkel in the UK thanks to its shallow and crystal-clear waters. The visitor centre has created a snorkel trail marked by five buoys for people to follow, which shows off the best underwater habitats in the bay. You can pick up a laminated under water guide to help identify the species you spot from the shop and it’s also possible to hire a full-face mask for those without their own gear.
Fantastic views
If you get itchy feet sitting on the beach all day there are some excellent walks along the clifftops, which provide far reaching views across the Dorset countryside and out to sea. It’s possible to climb from the beach onto the headland to see beautiful Clavell tower, which was once demolished and painstakingly rebuilt just metres away from its original position on the cliff edge.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Travelling to Kimmeridge Bay
To get to the private bay you will have to use a toll road, which costs £5 per car (£10 for motorhomes) and entitles you to park at the beach all day. Kimmeridge Bay is unspoilt by commercialism and offers very little in the way of facilities. There are public toilets in the main carpark and an ice cream van in the summer months, but no cafes or restaurants on the beach. Therefore it is advisable to bring a packed lunch and drinks if you plan to stay for the day. Alternatively, stop in the nearby Kimmeridge village on your way home and enjoy a bite to eat in one of the pubs or restaurants in this small but picturesque hamlet.To get to the beach there are a number of steps, which may not be suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Kimmeridge Bay is dog friendly year-round.
